This is an opportunity for the Medical Education community in and near Macomb County to exhibit their scholarly activity and quality improvement projects. This is a free virtual event. All faculty, residents, and medical students are eligible to submit. This event is co-sponsored by McLaren Macomb, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Henry Ford Macomb.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
This forum is open to all healthcare providers, learners, and affiliate professions in Michigan and the surrounding areas. The goal of this symposium is to exchange ideas pertaining to the health of our community. For training programs, this also meets ACGME scholarly requirements. We give permission for participants to present their work at subsequent conferences.
If you missed our event, please feel free to watch the recording, which includes a keynote by Dr. Kim Pfotenhauer entitled, "AI in Medicine: Understanding Today’s Tools and Tomorrow’s Trends," followed by the presentation of prizes.
Winners
Biomedical / Basic Science Research
First Place
Sruchi Patel, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
BM1: Discovery of a Small-Molecule Modulator of the Autophagy Lysosome Pathway That Targets Lamin A/C and LAMP1, Induces Autophagic Flux, and Affects Lysosome Positioning in Neurons
Second Place
Mabintou Darboe, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, in collaboration with the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Connecticut Health Center
BM2: Postnatal neuronal Bace1 deletion impairs neuroblast and oligodendrocyte maturation
Third Place
Ayesha Noman, Michigan State University of Osteopathic Medicine
BM3: Comparative Study of Ear Transmission Characteristics
Clinical Research
First Place
Jacob Archutowski, DO, Henry Ford Macomb
CL1: Suture Button with Tension Band Fixation for Patella fractures: A Retrospective Case Series
Second Place
Joshua Marwede, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
CL3: Diagnostic Limitations of the SCAT-6: A Sideline Concussion Evaluation Study in Division I Football
Third Place
Hussein Saleh, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
CL2: Otolaryngology Consultation for Inpatient Adult Epistaxis: Epidemiologic and Outcome Analysis
Quality Improvement
First Place
Parker Adams, DO, McLaren Macomb
QI2: Improving Perioperative Efficiency and Safety Through Preoperative Oxygen Tank Checklist
Second Place
Alyssa Shermetaro, DO, McLaren Macomb
QI1: How Providing Education of Simple OMT Techniques Affects the Amount of OMT Performed by Primary Care Resident Physicians
Third Place
Peter Siclari, MD, McLaren Macomb
QI3: ED Rotation Survival Guide: For Off-Service Residents / Medical Students
Case Reports
First Place
Julia Janecki, DO, MSPH, McLaren Macomb
CR31: A Zebra in Plain Sight: The Complex Diagnosis of Autoimmune Enteropathy in a Patient with Chronic Diarrhea
Second Place
Matthew Chmielewski, DO, McLaren Macomb
CR25: Acute Cerebellitis Secondary to Recent Meningococcal Vaccination in a Pediatric Patient
Third Place
Abby Kunitsky, DO, McLaren Macomb
CR15: Primary Omental Mesothelioma: A Case-Based Perspective Highlighting Diagnostic Challenges
See the 2026 Macomb Research Forum Abstracts
Biomedical/Basic Science Research
BM1: Patel S. Discovery of a Small-Molecule Modulator of the Autophagy Lysosome Pathway That Targets Lamin A/C and LAMP1, Induces Autophagic Flux, and Affects Lysosome Positioning in Neurons. First place in Biomedical Research oral presentations at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
BM2: Darboe M, Bonoit MR, Das B, Ge Y, Zhou J, Yao A, He W, Yan R, Hu X. Postnatal neuronal Bace1 deletion impairs neuroblast and oligodendrocyte maturation. Second place in Biomedical Research oral presentations at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
BM3: Noman A, Zayernouri M, Naghibolhosseini M. Comparative Study of Ear Transmission Characteristics. Third place in Biomedical Research oral presentations at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
Clinical Research
CL1: Archutowski J. Suture Button with Tension Band Fixation for Patella fractures: A Retrospective Case Series. First place in Clinical Research oral presentations at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CL2: Saleh H, Minutello K, Steinmetz C, Nicks SM, Noreikate G, Hasan MS, Succar EF. Otolaryngology Consultation for Inpatient Adult Epistaxis: Epidemiologic and Outcome Analysis. Third place in Clinical Research oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CL3: Marwede J, Fitton NJ. Diagnostic Limitations of the SCAT-6: A Sideline Concussion Evaluation Study in Division I Football. Second place in Clinical Research oral presentations at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
Quality Improvement
QI1: Shermetaro A, Przybylski K, Golfin S, Schury C, Carty J, Chalmers R. How Providing Education of Simple OMT Techniques Affects the Amount of OMT Performed by Primary Care Resident Physicians. Second place in Quality Improvement oral presentations at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
QI2: Adams P, Mazur G, Grandy S, Elgin R. Improving Perioperative Efficiency and Safety Through Preoperative Oxygen Tank Checklist. First place in Quality Improvement oral presentations at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
QI3: Siclari P, Southall C, Garcia A, Steck M. ED Rotation Survival Guide: For Off-Service Residents / Medical Students. Third place in Quality Improvement oral presentations at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
Case Reports
CR1: Siddada S, Alali M, Rajput AS, Sreenivasan A. Hydralazine: A Double-Edged Sword Leading to Vasculitis and Irreversible Renal Failure. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR2: Vitale V, Steck M. New Onset Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR3: Sabbagh M, Talab H, Brooks E. Multiple Immune-Related Adverse Events Following Pembrolizumab Treatment for Stage IV Malignant Melanoma: A Case Report. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR4: Negoita AB, Janecki J, Patel N. An Atypical Presentation of Gastric Outlet Obstruction (GOO) Post-Nephrectomy: A Case Report. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR5: Sandomierski-Stellman A, Janecki J, Brooks E. En Plaque Spheno-orbital Meningioma and Distinct Paramedian Meningioma Presenting with Syncope. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR6: Bawa DK, Alqurneh S, Brooks E. Amiodarone-Induced Myxedema Coma Presenting with Profound Bradycardia and Acute Renal Failure in an Elderly Woman: A Rare, Life-Threatening Complication. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR7: Kuang A, Ali A, Al-Antary N, Lopez J, Sreenivasan A. Lyme Disease with Facial Nerve Palsy as sole manifestation in Adult. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR8: Abraham G, Skantz N, Sharza J, Steck M. Acute Altered Mental Status with a History of Narcolepsy. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR9: Tahir H, Mahimkar S, Mannariat B, Kirakosyan L, Sreenivasan A. Occipital Infarct and Visual Hallucinations: Unmasking Charles Bonnet Syndrome. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR10: Kollipara S, Carlier J. An Eye Opening Encounter. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR11: Lee H, Al-Antary N, Naveed AK, Alali M, Patel PS. Silent Flesh-Eater: Necrotizing Fasciitis Masked by Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR12: Canon Feliciano M, Ramaseshan K, Marella A, Sarwar M, Logan T. Acute Coronary Syndrome following Traumatic Injury of the Lower Leg in a Young Adult. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR13: Rozman M, Zacharias S, Mohan J. Heyde Unmasked: Transfusion-Dependent GI Bleeding in Critical Aortic Stenosis. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR14: Al-Mwajeh T, Kunwer Naveed A, Khanna S, Alali M, Verma A. Pembrolizumab-Induced Autoimmune Type 1 Diabetes Presenting as Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR15: Kunitsky A, Hanna M, Janecki J, Ghumman J. Primary Omental Mesothelioma: A Case-Based Perspective Highlighting Diagnostic Challenges. Third place in Case Reports oral presentations at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR16: Calimente HS, Saad A. Acute Hypoxic Respiratory Failure in a Young Female: An Unusual Case of Pericardial Effusion. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR17: Chadha A, Teta A, Ortiz Rivera G, Kazziha S. A Catheterization Catastrophe: Navigating an Iatrogenic Pulmonary Artery Rupture. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR18: Manam C, Al-Antary N, Ali A, Lopez J, Sreenivasan A. A Severe Case of Metastatic Multiple Myeloma Requiring Plasmapheresis. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR19: Saleem Rajput A, Kunwer Naveed A, Alali M, Siddada S, Willoughby JP. Daptomycin-Induced Lung Injury Presenting as Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR20: Haider-Ahmed H, Geisler S, Hunyadi V. Cardiogenic Shock of Unclear Etiology: An Unusual Case of Eosinophilic Myocarditis. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR21: Al-sqour M, Alali M. Minoxidil Effects on the Heart. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR22: Siclari P, Shamass C. Can’t See and Can’t Hear: Evaluation of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR23: Nekkanti A, Alali M, Alsharif A, Kunwer Naveed A, Turner I. Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-Related Inflammation Mimicking Recurrent Stroke: Differentiating from Primary CNS Vasculitis. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR24: Aoun L, Talab H, Alqurneh S, Kargol K. Alcohol-Induced Type 3C Diabetes Mellitus: An Overlooked Complication in Underserved Populations. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR25: Chmielewski M, Coyne E. Second place in Case Reports oral presentations at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR26: Alsharif A, Al Ali M, Ahmed N. Acute Electrolyte Disturbances as a Rare Side Effect of FOLFIRINOX in Pancreatic Cancer: A Case Report. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR27: Birch S, Kunward Naveed A, Alali M, Al-Antary N, Patel P, Cronovich H. Unmasking Reactive Arthritis: Recognizing Reactive Arthritis in Persistent Sterile Arthritis. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR28: Aujla S, Ianitelli M. TAVR Before Tumor: Navigating Dual Pathologies of Severe Aortic Stenosis and Mediastinal Teratoma. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR29: Venkatesh HK, Abdelaziz A, Osobamiro O. Vitamin C-Induced Oxalate Nephropathy: Is It Too Late When You C Oxalate? Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR30: Girgis P, Munagala M. Hepatic and Retroperitoneal Involvement in Classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: A Case Report. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR31: Janecki J, Kunitsky A, Markus J. A Zebra in Plain Sight: The Complex Diagnosis of Autoimmune Enteropathy in a Patient with Chronic Diarrhea. First place in Case Reports oral presentations at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR32: Talaat M, Alali M, Aravapally A. A Herbal Supplement but Harmful: Kratom-Linked Hepatotoxicity and Rhabdomyolysis. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
CR33: Rabeegh A, Kunwer Naveed A, Abdelaziz A, Alali M, Goldstein E. New-Onset Diplopia as Initial Presentation of Multiple Sclerosis - A Case Study. Oral presentation at the Macomb Research Forum; January 21, 2026; Virtual. https://sites.google.com/view/macomb-forum/
Call for Abstracts
Abstract Deadline is October 6, 2025 - extended to October 13, 2025
Once your abstract is accepted, you will need to submit a recording of an oral presentation by December 8, 2025. See Oral Presentations page for details.
Presenters were notified of acceptance around late October.
Recordings of oral presentations were due December 9, 2025
Recordings must be limited to ten minutes
Oral presentation must be accompanied by video of presenter(s). This can be done in:
PowerPoint (desktop version)
Teams (To download a meeting recording: Select the Files or Shared tab in the meeting chat, channel, or meeting in calendar. Find and select the file. Select More options > Download.)
Other recording software - must create an .mp4 file of recording OR generate a link to the recording that anyone can access
Recording (in .mp4 format) or link needs to be shared with lori.mills@mclaren.org.
Option 1: upload .mp4 to Google Drive, make viewable to anyone with the link, and share with lori.mills@mclaren.org.
Option 2: upload .mp4 to this Dropbox folder.
Option 3: if you upload your video to YouTube, make the video either Unlisted or Public and send link to lori.mills@mclaren.org.
Once posted, presentations were available to view through February 5, 2026.
From Forum Schedule page:
12:00pm Welcome to the Fifth Annual Macomb Research Forum
12:05pm Keynote Speaker: Kim Pfotenhauer, DO, FACOFP, DABOM
12:35pm Q&A with Keynote Speaker
12:45pm Presentation of Prizes
12:55pm Closing Remarks
Keynote
Kim Pfotenhauer, DO, FACOFP, DABOM is a Board-Certified Osteopathic Family Physician, a Fellowship trained Diabetologist and a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is currently the Assistant Dean for Clerkship Education and an Associate Professor at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She has led educational initiatives with the American College of Osteopathic Family Medicine, the Endocrine Society, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, and the American Diabetes Association. Speaking regionally and nationally on diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease, obesity, and vitamin D, she focuses on empowering primary care physicians to improve patient metabolic health. Her current work also explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, healthcare, and medical education, advancing innovation at the nexus of clinical practice and technology.
Dr. Pfotenhauer will be speaking on AI in Medicine: Understanding Today’s Tools and Tomorrow’s Trends:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way physicians practice and the way researchers discover. In this presentation, we will explore AI in three parts: first, the essential concepts every clinician should understand about AI and its role in health care; second, the top five AI tools and applications already available today that are shaping clinical practice and research; and finally, five emerging trends on the horizon that will redefine the future of medicine. This session will give you the knowledge to confidently engage with AI now and the foresight to prepare for where it’s going.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Dr. Pfotenhauer, everyone in the Planning Committee, and all of our judges!
Planning Committee
Grace Brannan, PhD, McLaren Macomb
Jennifer Carty McIntosh, PhD, LP, McLaren Macomb
Andrew Champine, PsyD, LP, MSHM, McLaren Macomb
Christina Chastain, Henry Ford Macomb
Robin Chastain, Henry Ford Macomb
Kelly Jones Brown, Henry Ford Macomb
Lori Mills, MLIS, McLaren Macomb
Carolina Restini, PharmD, PhD, Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Michael Shaw, PhD, Henry Ford Warren
Judging Committee
Carolina de Aguiar Ferreira, PhD, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Nagina Aslam, DO, Henry Ford Macomb
Andrew Awabdeh, DO, McLaren Macomb
Elizabeth Brooks, DO, McLaren Macomb
Richard Chalmers, DO, McLaren Macomb
Amit Chopra, DO, Henry Ford Macomb
Corbin Cleary, MD, Henry Ford Macomb
Georgette Cooke, DO, McLaren Macomb
Evan Coyne, DO, McLaren Macomb
Heather Cronovich, DO, Henry Ford Macomb
Keith Cronovich, DO, Henry Ford Macomb
Erin Cuddeback, DO, McLaren Macomb
Tara Eastin, DO, McLaren Macomb
Nick Gadzinski, DO, Henry Ford Macomb
Garret Holcomb, MD, McLaren Macomb
Melissa Ianitelli, DO, McLaren Macomb
Kenneth Ierardi, DO, Henry Ford Macomb
Kevin Jutzy, MD, Henry Ford Macomb
Lafi Khalil, MD, Henry Ford Macomb
J'Aimee Lippert, DO, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Elizabeth MacLean, MD, Henry Ford Macomb
Anissa Mattison, DO, FACOOG, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Shannon McMann, DO, FACOI, DipABOM, McLaren Macomb
Jason Muir, DO, Henry Ford Macomb
Emily Orille, DO, McLaren Macomb
Ali Saad, DO, McLaren Macomb
Aaron Sabbota, MD, Henry Ford Macomb
Kenneth Scott, DO, Henry Ford Macomb
Corie Seelbach, DO, FACOS, McLaren Macomb
Anuradha Sreenivasan, DO, Henry Ford Macomb
Matthew Steck, DO, McLaren Macomb
Abby Waterfield-Bogden, DO, Henry Ford Macomb
Niluka Weerakoon, MD, Henry Ford Macomb
Elizabeth Witer, DO, Henry Ford Macomb
Lina Yousif, DO, Henry Ford Macomb